From circular design principles, sustainable urban design and transformative brands to tapping into consumers' conscientiousness and leveraging on the power of AI and technology in story-telling and business strategies, KODW 2023 will showcase an array of innovative practices in design and businesses to create a more sustainable future.
Prof. Eric Yim, Chairman of HKDC, says, "This year in 2023, we are excited to have our Strategic Partner in 2022, a country we celebrate for its contributions to the world of design – the Netherlands – as a year-round Partner Country, bringing their expertise in circular innovation to the table.
"Design plays a unique and powerful role in driving positive change and sustainability. Through this year's international design conference, we seek to advance the knowledge of how responsible and circular design, together with the necessary collective efforts of different communities and businesses, helps further activate the movement of using the power of design to build a more equitable, sustainable and resilient society, benefitting businesses and the society as a whole."
Bart Ahsmann, Managing Director of CLICKNL says, "We are very much looking forward to this year's partnership and bringing a series of thought-provoking programmes to share our knowledge and innovation highlighting the power of circular design. KODW facilitates the exchange of ideas not only across industries but also between leading creative cities and countries, and it is honoured to have the Netherlands on board again as this year's Partner Country."
Back in Full Force: What to expect in KODW 2023
Consisting of six programme pillars: Social Innovation & Wellness, Culture & the City, New Urban Models, Transformative Brands, Hospitality, and AI & Technology, KODW 2023 explores the unique and powerful role that design plays in driving positive change and sustainability. Over the 3-day event, movers and shakers from Hong Kong and around the world will showcase the application and impact of responsible and circular design in diverse facets of the contemporary world. Collective efforts of different communities and businesses are called upon to leverage the power of design to build a more equitable, sustainable and resilient society.
Presented under the six programme pillars, highlights of keynote and panel sessions include –
Social Innovation & Wellness
KEYNOTE: 'Redefining Good Design for Healthy Consumerism' (14 June)
Calling for design-driven change that is beneficial to all, Richard van der Laken (Co-founder & Creative Director of What Design Can Do, The Netherlands) will discuss the impact of 'good and bad design' on consumer behaviours, business strategies, policymaking and planetary health, complementing with examples that work (and don't work). Van der Laken co-founded What Design Can Do, an organisation known for tackling social challenges with diverse sectors through design-driven innovations.
Transformative Brands
PANEL: 'Closing the Loop: Creating New Business Values' (15 June)
In our current linear economy of 'take-make-dispose', many values are lost. Circular business models, on the other hand, can be applied to capture these values. Renowned Dutch authorities in circular design and business Pieter van Os (Program Manager International of CIRCO, The Netherlands) and Siem Haffmans (Strategic Consultant Circular Economy of Partners for Innovation, The Netherlands) will share practical examples on how to embrace circularity, make products that last longer, while at the same time create valuable business opportunities.
New Urban Models
KEYNOTE: 'Designing for a Planet-Friendly City' (14 June)
Sun Dayong (Founder & Chief Architect of Penda China, The Mainland) founded Penda China, a Beijing-based architectural firm known for drawing inspiration from nature and incorporating biomimicry. Sun firmly believes that nature has much to teach about counteracting excess and building more resourcefully, and will share his philosophies and experiences in designing beyond functionality to live in harmony with the environment.
Hospitality
KEYNOTE: 'The Power of Luxe Design: Reshaping the Hospitality Landscape' (14 June)
When translating hoteliers' visions into remarkable opulent designs, investors and designers must take into account local sentiments and traditional values to create culturally and ecologically sustainable spaces and buildings. Veteran in luxe design, Clint Nagata (Founder & Creative Partner of BLINK Design Group, Singapore), will share his approach in reimagining luxurious experiences that resonate with local culture and community while prioritising circular design.
Culture & the City
KEYNOTE: 'Innovative Cultural Storytelling for the City' (14 June)
d'strict is a trailblazing South Korean company known for its visually stunning fusion of digital media technology and content, and its remarkably engaging approach to cultural storytelling. L. J. Kim (Executive Director,LIVX Division of d'strict, Korea), will present a selection of the company's projects, including its world-renowned ARTE MUSEUM's upcoming global branches, and spark a conversation on the power of innovative cultural storytelling to engage with local communities and democratise art experiences on a global scale.
PANEL: 'Heritage in the City: Preserving Urban Legacies' (14 June)
As cities across Asia undergo accelerated urbanisation, governments and businesses are faced with daily challenges to innovate for the future while preserving the past. Two pioneers in this line of work, Teo Yang (Creative Director of Teo Yang Studio, Korea) and Prof. Francesca Valsecchi (Associate Professor of Tongji University College of Design and Innovation, The Mainland), will discuss how modernity and tradition can coexist through creative intervention, extensive research, and thoughtful design.
AI & Technology
PANEL: 'Creative Power of Generative AI' (15 June)
The use of generative AI in enhancing business branding, marketing and operation has taken the world by storm. Industry experts Dr Fan Ling (Founder & CEO of Tezign.com, The Mainland), Maggie Wong (CEO of Wunderman Thompson Hong Kong, Hong Kong) and Fred Sheu (National Technology Officer, Microsoft Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong) will discuss the trends, tools, strategies and controversies surrounding generative AI's commercial and design applications, as well as the limitations, ethical implications and education that must be considered prior to implementation as leaders in diverse industries keenly explore this latest technology's potential to drive changes, improve efficiency, streamline creative processes, and collect insights and analytics with greater accuracy.
PANEL: 'Creativity Empowered: Bridging Storytelling with Technology' (15 June)
Amid the ever-evolving digital landscape, the fusion of creativity and technology has become increasingly important in the art of storytelling. Local creatives Roger Proeis (Co-founder & President of Votion Studios, Hong Kong) and Henry Chu (Creative Director, pill & pillow, and new media artist, Hong Kong) will showcase their recent interactions with technology, such as XR and the interplay of data and music, and share how they work with brands and businesses to captivate end-users with intriguing narratives.
